"Is the seizure of mobile phones or their Sim cards - along with an education system - the way forward, combined with fines? I don't know, but it's a question worth asking."

Steve Gooding, director of motoring research charity the RAC Foundation, told the Press Association that losing their smartphone could be "a bigger deal" than regular punishments for some drivers.

He went on: "With far too many people still flouting the law, maybe it will take something as blunt and brutal as 'you use it, you lose it' to get the message across."

An AA poll of more than 19,000 motorists in November found that two-thirds (65%) would support such a measure being introduced.

Some 44% even advocated officers smashing mobiles in front of offenders, with the same proportion in favour of the police sending a text to all contacts in a phone to spread news of what the driver has done.

The Department for Transport is set to introduce legislation to increase the punishment for using a handheld mobile while driving.